Carmack Addresses Id Software Layoffs Amidst Doom Studio Speculation
WHO:
Video Games Chronicle - John Carmack stated, “My ‘Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the brand’ statement isn’t aging well.”
Windows Central - Xbox CEO Asha Sharma called out DOOM and Quake as franchises to invest in.
Video Games Chronicle - John Carmack, co-founder of Id Software, and former Id Software studio head Tim Willits are involved in the discussion regarding layoffs.
Windows Central - Asha Sharma, CEO of Xbox, is mentioned in relation to the company's restructuring.
WHAT:
Windows Central - Reports indicate that id Software had a variety of pitches in the pipeline, including a Perfect Dark reboot and a Western-styled shooter dubbed Ironwood, but it is unclear if any will be greenlit.
Windows Central - Microsoft has no plans to shift either id Software or Machine Games to Unreal Engine.
Video Games Chronicle - Id Software has laid off 96 workers in Richardson, Texas, and an additional 40 remote roles have been cut.
Windows Central - Over a thousand jobs have been removed across four studios, with a further 2000 planned layoffs.
Windows Central - Id Software's headcount is now similar to what it was when DOOM (2016) was released.
Windows Central - Id Software recently shipped DOOM: The Dark Ages Revelations, a sizeable story expansion for last year's DOOM prequel.
WHERE:
Video Games Chronicle - The layoffs occurred in Richardson, Texas, where Id Software is based.
Windows Central - The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring within Xbox, affecting multiple studios.
WHEN:
Video Games Chronicle - A reunion at QuakeCon is mentioned as occurring next month.
Windows Central - The layoffs are described as part of a recent "reset" by Xbox.
WHY:
Windows Central - The layoffs reflect a challenging time in traditional gaming, with a contraction due to increased costs and lack of investment in younger cohorts.
Video Games Chronicle - John Carmack expressed that he suspects Id Software was viewed as a marginal business from Microsoft's perspective.
Windows Central - The layoffs reflect a challenging time in traditional gaming, with increased costs and a lack of investment in younger cohorts.
HOW:
Windows Central - Microsoft provided a statement indicating, “There are dozens of people working on id Tech across multiple locations. Reports that there’s only one person left in Texas are inaccurate.”
Video Games Chronicle - John Carmack stated he has been trying to find something meaningful to say about the layoffs but struggles without knowing full details.
Windows Central - Microsoft provided a statement indicating that there are dozens of people working on id Tech across multiple locations, countering rumors of a significant reduction in staff.
(UPDATED July 10, 2026 20:23 UTC)
In a recent statement, John Carmack expressed concerns about Microsoft's stewardship of the gaming brand, saying, “My ‘Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the brand’ statement isn’t aging well.” Meanwhile, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma highlighted the importance of investing in iconic franchises like DOOM and Quake, as reports suggest id Software has several pitches in the works, including a reboot of Perfect Dark and a Western-styled shooter called Ironwood, though it's uncertain if these projects will move forward. Microsoft also clarified that there are still many people working on id Tech across various locations, countering claims that only one person remains in Texas, amid a challenging time for traditional gaming marked by layoffs and rising costs.
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(UPDATED July 10, 2026 19:26 UTC)
Id Software has laid off 96 workers in Richardson, Texas, along with an additional 40 remote roles, as part of a broader restructuring within Xbox that has resulted in over a thousand job cuts across four studios, with plans for another 2,000 layoffs. John Carmack, co-founder of Id Software, has expressed concerns that the company may be viewed as marginal by Microsoft, while Asha Sharma, CEO of Xbox, is also mentioned in relation to these changes. The layoffs come just ahead of a reunion at QuakeCon next month, as Id Software's headcount now resembles what it was when DOOM was released in 2016.